Some background information about TENS:
In the U.S. the sales
of TENS devices (which stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
is regulated by the FDA and a prescription from a medical professional is
required to purchase one commercially.
They cost anywhere from $40 on up.
They all function basically the same way. Using a battery power source the TENS device produces a high voltage but low current signal at a specified frequency and duration. This electrical current is applied externally to the skin of the body using sticky foam electrode pads. The more expensive units have advanced
features like dual-channels, programmable functions, a digital readout, etc.
They have been around for many years and are used by doctors, therapists,
chiropractors, rehab clinics, college and professional sports organizations
and individuals. Anyone seeking relief from muscle aches and pain that does
not involve the use of drugs.
I found some basic, unbiased guidance about using a TENS unit specifically for
RLS at this web site: http://www.ehow.com/how_4597657_electric-nerve-stimulation-restless-legs.html.
Disclaimer:
I am not a medical professional. I am providing this web page for informational
purposes only. A TENS unit should not be used by anyone who wears a heart
pacemaker or defibrillator. It should never be used about the head or neck.
If you have been diagnosed with epilepsy or have been told you are pregnant
you should not use a TENS device. If you make or use this device you do so
at your own risk and I accept no responsibility for the outcome.
My Restless Legs Story
I created this web page
to try and help others out there who suffer from RLS. In my search for some kind of help I found little serious discussion or useful information on the internet
concerning using a TENS unit to relieve the symptoms of Restless
Legs Syndrome or for RLS treatment. Surprisingly there does not appear there have ever been any credible medical
studies of the potential benefits either. I've had RLS since I was a child.
More so now as I'm middle age. I have the typical symptoms... sitting down
after a day of work and the legs start to jerk and twitch away to the point
I sometimes have to go to bed early just to get some relief. Usually this
is enough
to get
them to subside. However, sometimes, on really bad days, the RLS
seems to follow me to bed. I've been building
electronic projects since I was a teenager and I had made a simple
electrical nerve stimulator a few years ago from a circuit I found on the
internet. I used it for a bad knee and even for some very bad back strains.
Always with excellent results.
Basically, the device overrides the nerve
impulses to the brain that are causing the pain (or twitches in the case
of RLS) and, for a time, fool the brain into believing they no longer exist. Even when
you turn the device off, the benefits of the stimulation treatment continues
for several days more. For me, the the pain & symptoms stop. It's that simple.
For the last dozen or so years now, I also use my TENS unit
for controlling my RLS symptoms. When the tingling and twitching gets so bad
I cannot sit calmly or even go to sleep I stick the pads on the back of each
leg (see diagram) about half way between my butt and my knee. I have found this to be the most effective placement. I place them this way. I
stand up and bend at the knees slightly. I can now feel the muscle tighten on
the back of my leg. This is where I place the pads for maximum benefit. I
get into bed and place the circuit board on my chest. At first, I can feel the pulses very clearly. They are like a mild pin prick. Over time they get
fainter and fainter to the point I have to think about them to really feel
them. There is no discomfort whatsoever, and for me, the relief is
relatively quick. Within minutes the nasty jerking effects of my RLS are
gone and I'm off to sleepy time. I leave the nerve stimulator on all night.
I have had absolutely no side effects to this treatment and the effect lasts
a good 3 to 5 days. It is really quite remarkable how such a simple and
inexpensive device can have such a positive effect on my life!
How does this TENS
device work?
The small, relatively simple circuit shown here is basically an electronic
timer set up to deliver a mild electrical shock. It uses a common NE555 timer integrated circuit wired to create a very short, low current pulse approximately ten times per second (10hz rate). The IRF 510 MOSFET (basically an electronic switch) together with a reversely connected AC power transformer amplifies that pulse into a high voltage, low current signal.
It is this signal that is connected
by about six feet of two-lead wire to two electrode pads. Each pad is around two
inches square and is made of sticky foam on one side and a cloth backing
on the other. A short wire with a female pin connector protrudes from each
pad. These pads are placed on the skin of ones body and are held in place by the adhesive.
They can be used over and over several times but at some point will need to
be replaced when they fail to adhere. The pulse is harmless and feels like a tingle or pin prick.
Sourcing the parts...
...and building the TENS device
I found you can locate
all the parts for the TENS unit from any good electronics supply house. Mouser Electronics is one source that
I often use. Purchased together they did not cost me more than $10 plus a
little time to construct. The power transformer is connected backwards to
form a
step-up circuit. As to the electrode pads, they are not FDA regulated
and I'm able to buy all I need without a prescription from any number of
online sources. They run me around $10 for a pack of four. I prefer the square
ones but the rounds ones will work just fine. They will lose their stickiness if I have any oil on my skin and I also find it best to shave the area I plan to stick them to get better adhesion. To get some additional life out of worn pads I use medical tape in a cross X pattern to hold them on for the night. Once they're in place and connected to the leads, I then adjust the amplitude (pulse
strength) to the point below where the stimulation is slightly painful but
not so low as it cannot be felt. The nerve stimulator draws little power
from the 9v. battery and will last for several weeks. When I feel the pulse
is weakening when first connected, it is time to change the battery. I don't know why this is, but I do get a more restfull sleep on the nights I use the TENS unit. For me, it has truly been a life saver. Having RLS is no longer such a big deal.
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